Teacher acquitted of assault and then fired

Just outrageous. The school board voted to fire him tonight. Just saw it on the news. He had taught for 37 years.

36-37=-1?
Wow, I'm impressed!

suggesting he did not teach for 37 years, as the OP suggests.

That's a typo in the article. No way could this guy be 36. I saw him on the news. He's more like 66.

teachers have the right to protect themselves, but they also have the responsibility to walk away. Too bad he didn't stop before this escalated.

But should be have been fired?

for certain...perhaps a formal reprimand and retraining...even reassignment...but in today's litigious world, the powers that be are so afraid of parents and their willingness to sue that maybe the board of education thought the risk was too great. Even with the acquittal, one has to wonder if there could be a civil suit brought by the student's family. I can just hear it now..."mental anguish/anxiety and fear of school/etc. etc.etc."

I taught for over 25 years and over the course of time found myself more and more reluctant to handle kids...even in jest, something can go wrong. Teachers are the adults and as such should maintain that level of professionalism which puts them above "horsing around" or doing anything that denigrades their position of authority.

The teacher learned a powerful and expensive lesson. :hi:

The "assault" nonsense was a convenient excuse to get rid of an older teacher.

This sacking of older teachers goes on all the time in public education because the districts rig the entire legal process in their favor.

...commit a sackable offense (in most places at least) the moment as he laid hands on the student.

Personally I think this "never touch" rule is over the top, particularly when enforced with zero tollerance heavyhandedness. I believe there are circumstances where physical intervention short of calling in the campus cop with their taser is appropriate.

However, kicking a student, except possibly to disarm, crosses the line.

the false allegations are excuses for age discrimination.

It goes on all the time in public education; you just subscribe to the idea no teacher can be fired unless he or she deserves it.